Solenoid means and solenoid mounting means for pianos



March 31, 1964 voN GUNTEN 3,126,783

SoEENoID MEANS AND SOLENOID MOUNTING MEANS EDR PIANDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 3, 1961 INVENTOR. LEE L. VON GUNTEN BY TY'OJVFX'.

March 31, 1964 L.. voN GUNTEN 3,126,783

SOLENOID MEANS AND SOLENOID MOUNTING MEANS FOR PIANOS United States Patent O 3,126,783 SOLENOID MEANS AND SOLENOID MOUNTING MEANS FOR PllANOS Lee L. Von Gunten, Kenmore, NX., assigner to Aurora Corporation of Illinois, Buffalo, N.Y., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 86,916 17 Claims'. (Cl. S11- 246) This invention relates to pianos having solenoid-actuated playing means, and more particularly to new and improved solenoid means and solenoid mounting means for adjusting the solenoid means relative to the playing means.

In the manufacture of pianos, it is necessary to provide a plurality of brackets spaced longitudinally along the keyboard for supporting the actions. As a result, the back ends of the keys, the actions and the strings must be grouped between such brackets, w-ith a spacing provided between each group to make room for the particular bracket. Since there is no standard for such grouping, it has been left to each manufacturer to determine the number and spacing of the action brackets, groups of keys, actions and strings. Consequently, the arrangement of such elements varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

This presents a diilicult problem fin providing solenoidactuated playing means for pianos of various makes, especially in the mounting of the solenoids for proper actuation of the playing means. For example, in an upright type of piano, an `ideal location for the solenoids is beneath the juxtaposed whips of the actions, such as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 794,- 902, iiled February 24, 1959, of which the present application is a continuation-impart. However, the solenoid arrangement shown therein is tailor-made for the particular piano illustrated. From a cost standpoint, such an arrangement would be excessive, as it would be necessary to develop solenoid means and solenoid mounting means peculiar to each make of piano.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide new and improved solenoid means and solenoid mounting means Which are so constructed and designed as to facilitate adjustment of the Solenoid means relative to the piano playing means regardless of the number and spacing of the action brackets, groups of keys, actions and strings, and are thereby adapted for use with pianos of various makes.

Another object is to provide such solenoid and mounting means incorporating new and improved guide means which not only control the movement of the movable actuating elements of the solenoid means for proper operation thereof, but also ensure quiet operation thereof.

Still another object is to provide such solenoid and mounting means which are so constructed and designed as to facilitate a compact and orderly arrangement of the solenoid means for proper actuation of the piano playing means.

A further object is to provide such solenoid and mounting means which are simple, yet rugged in construction, economical to manufacture, effective in operation, and readily assembled or disassembled to facilitate replacement or repair.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an upright type of piano incorporating the invention and illustrates various conventional piano components such as a playing key, an action, an action supporting bracket, a string, and string supporting members, and a preferred ice embodiment of the inventive solenoid means and mounting means therefor;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the solenoid means and solenoid mounting means shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View and illustrates in detail the means for adjustably mounting a solenoid casing of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 on its support;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the solenoid means and mounting means shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the construction of ran upper `guide for the armature rod of a solenoid, and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the construction of a lower guide for the armature of a solenoid.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, a typical upright type of piano is generally indicated at 1li. This piano includes the usual horizontal bed frame 11 for the keyboard (not shown), the frame 11 being supported at its forward or front end by a pair of legs 12 (only one being shown). Attached to the forward end of the frame 1li in front of the keyboard is an electrical chord playing mechanism generally indicated at 13. This mechanism includes depressible chord and note playing buttons or keys 14 and is of the type disclosed in my prior ico-pending application Serial No. 794,902, iiled February 24, 1959 and entitled Piano Having Electric Playing Means Therefor.

At the rear end of bed frame 11 there is located a vertical, removable panel 15 for housing various operative elements of the piano, in .accordance with standard practice. Mounted over bed frame 11 are the usual white keys 16 and black keys 17, one of each being shown. rThese keys are mounted for pivotal movement in the usual manner, for example, the white key being guided at its forward end by the front key pins 18 projecting upwardly from bed frame 11, and pivoted at its central portion on similar, upwardly projecting balance key pins 2t).

At their rear ends, the keys 16 and 17 are connected to the piano actions. For example, the rear end of key 16 is shown as being provided with a capstan plate 21 from which depends an elongated screw 22 carrying a generally upright sticker or abstract 23. Each sticker 23 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the forward end of a generally horizontal whip 24 of the corresponding conventional piano action generally indicated at 25. The whip 24 is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the main rail 26 of action 25, and upon depression of the forward end of a playing key, such as 16, the sticker 23 causes the whip 24 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, and this in turn, through the various linkages of action 25 causes the hammer 27 to pivot about its lower end and to strike the corresponding piano string 2S. This string is held taut between its upper and lower knife edge support bars 30, 31 respectively. At the same time that the hammer 27 strikes the string, the damper mechanism generally indicated at 32 pivots away from the string to permit the desired sounding of the particular note struck. The foregoing construction and operation of the playing keys and actions is conventional.

As noted above, it is necessary to provide a plurality of action supporting brackets spaced longitudinally along the piano keyboard. One of these brackets is generally indicated in FIG. 1 at 33.

Located below the whips 24- of actions 25 are the in.- ventive solenoid means generally indicated at 34 and the inventive solenoid mounting means generally indicated at 35. In general, the location of these means is like that disclosed in the aforesaid co-pending application, and as described in detail therein, the solenoid means 34 are electrically connected tothe chord and note playing buttons 14 of mechanism 13. Thus, upon depression of a button 14, one or more solenoid means 34 are energized, and upon such energization strike the corresponding whip or Whips 24, causing the same to pivot upwardly and actuate the corresponding hammer or hammers 27 in the manner previously described.

Referring no-W toV FIG. 4, it will be noted that the stickers 23 and Whips 24 of :actions 25 [are arrangedin juxtaposition, and are divided into two spaced groups A and B to make room for the various action supporting brackets such as 33, illustrated in FIG. l. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the left hand group A is composed of twelve actions which correspond to certain base notes, and the right hand group B is likewise composed of twelve actions which correspond to a certain control octave in the piano, such arrangement being described in greater detail in the aforesaid copending applicati-on. In accordance with this arrangement, the solenoid mounting means 3S includes an upright panel 36 which is made of any suitable material such as fiberboard, is preferably rectangular in outline, is spaced below and extends transversely of the juxtaposed whips 24. This panel 36 is provided with a at front working surface 37 and slots 38 to facilitate attachment of the panel to the adjacent portion of the piano frame in any suitable manner (not shown). Secured to support panel 36 are the various solenoid means 34, and these are divided into similarly spaced groups corresponding to the spaced groups A and B of the actions 25. Moreover, the solenoid means 34 in each group are arranged in three horizontally alined and vertically staggered rows C, D and E, and there are four solenoid means arranged in juxtaposition in each row. As will beapparent, by using the three staggered rows, the solenoid means can be arranged in such close juxtaposition so that the movable portions thereof which strike the corresponding whips Z4 of actions 25 can be arranged directly beneath such whips.

As also seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the solenoid mounting means 35 includes a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal and elongated clamping bars 40 which likewise extend transversely of actions 25. These bars 4@ are arranged along the fronti'flat surface 37 of support panel V36, and one bar is preferably provided in each row for each group of solenoid means 34. Each bar 40 is preferably of lchannel-shape in cross section, and is arranged so that its lower ange 41 opposes and abuts the flat surface 37 of panel 36, while its upper flange 42, which is narrower than the lower yange 41, opposes but is spaced from surface 37. The clamping action of each bar 40 against'surface 37 can be varied by any suitable fastening means such as bolts 43 which pass through a hole provided in the bar between its ilanges as well as `an alined hole provided in panel 36, and are secured in place by nuts 44. p

The motion of the movable elements of the solenoid means 34 is preferably controlled by the following elements of the mounting means 35. A horizontal shelf 45 is preferably provided for eaoh group of solenoid means, and this shelf is preferably Vformed from an elongated sheet of metal which is bent into a substantially L- shape in cross section. The shelf 45 is arranged horizontally along support panel 36 to extend transversely of the actions 25 in each group and the depending vertical of a suitable, non-metallic resilient material such as felt which m-ay be adhesively secured to the horizontal legs 47 of the shelves 45.

Spaced below each shelf 45 is an elongated horizontal upper yclamping bar 5t) which is essentially Z-shaped in cross section. The upper horizontal leg 5l `of bar 50 is spaced below and arranged parallel tot the horizontal leg 47 of shelf r45, while the free edge of lower horizontal leg 52' of bar 5ft opposes the flat surface 37 of panel 36 and engages the vertical leg 46 of shelf 45. These upper and lower horizontal legs 5l, 52 are connected by an integral vertical leg 53. Bar Sil is adjustably secured to panel 36 by suitable fastening means such as screws 54 which pass through alined holes provided in vertical legs 46 and S3 and into the body of the panel.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a plurality orf `elongated upper guides 55 are arranged in juxtaposition between the horizontal leg 47 of shelf 45 and the upper horizontal leg 51 of clamping bar 5t). For quietness of operation, each guide is preferably made of a suitable non-metallic material such as felt. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the inner end of each guide is clamped between bar 5) and shelf 45, 'and the outer end of the guide protrudes laterally outwardly from the shelf and bar, and is arranged longitudinally of and directly beneath the corresponding whip 24 of each action 25. Moreover, the outer end of each Vguide 55 is tapered as at 56 and is provided with a central longitudinal slit 57 terminating at its outer end in a V-shaped entrance notch 58, and at `its inner end in a circular through opening 6l?, `all for a purpose to be described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 in particular, the detailed structure of each solenoid means 34 will now be described.

Each solenoid means includes a casing generally indicated at 62, and which is composed ont an elongated strip of metal which is bent into a substantially U-shape, thereby forming a 4front wall 63, a top wall 64, and a rear Wall 65. The botom wall V66 of casing 62 is preferably formed from a separate sheet of metal, and is secured to the front and rear Walls in the following manner.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, front wall 63 is pro vided with a pair of laterally spaced, depending lugs 67 which mate in notches 68 formed in bottom wall 66. Likewise, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rear wall 65 is provided with a `central depending lug 7G which mates with a corresponding notch 71 in the rear end of bottom wall 6,6. ln assembling the casing 62, it is but a simple matter to stake the lugs 67 and 7i) at the same time, by a suitable device (not shown), thereby forming the dovetailed engagements shown in the drawings.

In addition, the top wall 64 of casing 62 is provided with a generally semi-circular notch 72 adjacent its rear end, and the bottom wall 66 is likewise provided with a pair of similarly shaped notches 73 (only one being shown) adjacent its rear end. These notches are designed to receive various lead-in and lead-out wires (not from the front end of bottom wall 66, and as shown in FIG. 4, are arranged so that the space therebetween is in vertical alinernent with the corresponding whip 24. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, each ear 74 is provided at its outer end witha lateral ilange75 opposing the dangle on the adjacent ear, and slidably mounted over each ear is a sleeve 76 which is preferably made of non-metallic resilient material such as rubber for facilitating quiet operation of the solenoid means as will be described in detail below. The flanges 75 on ears 74 serve to retain the sleeve '76 in place. Y

ln addition, the top wall 64 and the bottom wall 66 of casing 62 are provided with vertically alined, through holes 77, 78 respectively. As will be described below,

these holes yreceive portions of the solenoid coil means.

At its lower end, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the rear wall 65 of casing 62 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced,

vertical depending tongues 80 which are preferably planar extensions of this rear wall. These tongues extend through corner notches provided in the bottom wall 66 and are adapted to fit between the upper flange 42 of the lower clamping bar 40 and the at surface 37 of support panel 36. As will be apparent, by loosening the bolts 43, the clamping action of bars 40 can be relieved to permit the desired movement of any or all casings -62 along the corresponding bar 4), that is, transversely of the actions 25, to achieve the desired positioning of the casings directly beneath the corresponding ones of the whips 24, following which the bolts 43 can be tightened to restore the clamping action ofthe bars.

Each solenoid means 34 also includes vertically arranged coil means composed of a cylindrical coil 82 of wire which may be grounded to the casing '62 in any `suitable manner `(not shown) and which is wound around ya cylindrical bobbin or spool `83 which may be made of any suitable non-metallic material such as nylon. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper laterally extending annular liange 84 of spool 83 engages the underside of casing top wall 64, while the lower laterally extending annular flange 85 engages the upper side of casing lower wall 66, and the protruding annular ends of the central tubular portion of the bobbin or spool are located in the central holes 77, 78 provided inthe top and bottom walls 64, 66 respectively.

In assembling the casing 62 and coil means, it is but a simple matter `to locate the bobbin 82 properly within the U-shaped piece forming the top, front and rear walls, after which the bottom wall 66 is located in place. Then, the above described staking operation takes place .to provide the desired assembling in a simple and effective manner.

Arranged within the coil means is a cylindrical armature S6 which is preferably made of suitable magnetically permeable metallic material. This armature is adapted to reciprocate vertically within bobbin 82 and intermediate its ends is provided with an annular notch 87 in which is mounted an annular outstanding guide 83. This guide is preferably made of suitable non-metallic material, such as felt, and actually slides along the inner periphery of the central tubular portion of bobbin 82, as the armature 86 reciprocates. Thus, the felt guide 88 not only controls the movement of armature 86, so that the same will always be centered along the longitudinal axis of the bobbin 82, but also insures quiet movement of the armature. At its lower end, the armature 86 is provided with an internally threaded recess 90 for a purpose to be described below.

The solenoid means 34 also includes a vertically elongated movable armature rod 91 which passes through the lower guide means formed by ears 74, as also seen in FIG. 6, as well as through the hole 60 in the outer end of the upper guide 55, as seen in FIG. 5. The armature rod 91 is provided with a lower laterally offset end portion 92 having a vertically arranged externally threaded tip 93 which is screwed into the recess 90 in the armature 86, and a horizontal upper end portion 94 which extends laterally over to the elongated cushioning member 4S on shelf 45, and is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections 95. Mounted on the upper end portion 94 of each rod 91 is an annular striking head 96 which is located between adjacent projections 95. This striking head is preferably made of suitable, non-metallic resilient material such as rubber and is formed with a central through bore 97 to receive the rod portion 94 and is also provided with a pair of axially spaced and laterally outstanding anges 9S.

At its position of rest, as shown in FIG. 2, each striking head 96 is supported on the cushioning member 48 and is spaced directly below the vforward end of the corresponding whip 24. However, upon energization of the solenoid means 34, the armature 86 andarmature rod 91 move vertically upwardly to lift head 96 and strike whip V24, `thereby causing the hammer 27 of `the corresponding action 25 to strike the corresponding string `28 and sound the desired note.

As seen in FIG. 4, the armature rods 91 are in spaced and parallel arrangement but of different effective lengths 'for the various rows C, D and E, those for row C being the shortest, those for row E being `the longest and those for row D being of a length intermediate the others. In

.order to permit the close juxtaposition of the striking heads directly beneath the corresponding whips 24, an armature rod of one row,.for example, row C, is arranged adjacent an armature rod of another row, for example row D.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be apparent that the solenoid means 34 and solenoid mounting means 35 may be preassembled in the desired groups, corresponding to the particular spacing of the action supporting brackets for each piano manufacturer. Furthermore, if any adjustment of the solenoid means 34 is necessary after the mounting means 35 are located in the particular piano, it is but a simple matter to vary the clamping action of the various lower clamping bars 40, as well as the clamping action of the upper clamping bars 5t). This permits adjustment of the solenoid casing 62 and the upper guides 5S transversely of the actions, so that the solenoid means 34, particularly the striking heads 96, may be located in the desired positions directly beneath the corresponding whips 2.4 of actions 25. The standardization of components thus provided, while retaining ilexibility for adaptation for various makes of pianos, is of considerable commercial importance.

Further, it will be seen that the non-metallic guides, such as the annular felt guide 88 on armature! S6, the rubber sleeves 76 over lower guide ears 74, and the felt upper guides 55 not only precisely control the movement of the armature, armature rod and striking head to insure proper operation thereof in striking the whips 24, but also eliminate any undesirable noise which could occur between adjacent metal surfaces, were these guide members not made of such noise reducing, non-metallic materials.

In addition, it will be noted that the components of the solenoid means 34, such as the bobbin or spool 82, and the casing 62 may be readily assembled, and the armatures 86 .and the armature rods 81 may be readily inserted in proper operative position. Moreover, Ithe installation of casings 62 and the upper guide members 55 is quite simple. Likewise, these elements may be readily disassembled for repair or replacement.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated accom- .plishes the objectives stated. Inasmuch as modications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art the embodiment shown and -described herein is illustrative and not limitative of the present invention the scope of which is to be measured by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, support means, solenoid means operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including casing means having tongue means engaging said Isupport means, and bar means adjustably clamping said tongue means to said support means.

2. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having movable elements arranged in j juxtaposition, a support having a dat surface, a clamping bar opposing said flat surface, means permitting said bar to move generally normally with respect to said surface, and a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associated with certain of said elements, each of said solenoids including a casing having a tongue adjustably inter posed between said bar and surface.

3. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, a support having a flat surface spaced from and extending transversely of said element, a clamping bar of generally channel-shaped cross section arranged transversely of said element and having its ilanges opposing said at surface, means fastening said clamping bar to said support and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said bar with respect to said flat surface, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, .said solenoid including a casing having a tongue clamped between said clamping bar and flat surface, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means said casing may be moved transversely of said element.

4. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having generally horizontal movable elements arranged in juxtaposition, an upright support having a vertical flat surface spaced below and extending transversely of said elements, an elongated horizontal clamping bar of generally channel-shaped cross 'section arranged transversely of said elements and having its flanges opposing said flat surface, with its upper flange being narrower than its lower flange and spaced from said flat surface, a plurality of means severally extending through said bar between said flanges and into said support for Ifastening said bar thereto and being ad- Justable to vary the clamping action of said bar with respect to said flat surface, and a plurality of solenoids arranged in juxtaposition and severally operatively yassociated with certain of said elements, each of said solenoids including a casing having a vertical depending tongue clamped between said upper flange and said flat surface, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means, said casings may be severally moved transversely topositions directly beneath the corresponding ones of sa1d certain elements.

5: In a piano, the combination comprising an action havmg a movable element, support means, guide means engaging said support means, bar means adjustably clamping said guide means to said support means, and solenoid means operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means passing through said guide means, and striking means connected to said rod means, said striking means bemg supported on said support means and arranged to move away from said support means to strike said element when said solenoid means is energized.

`6i. In a piano, Ithe combination comprising a plurality of -actions severally having movable elements arranged 1in juxtaposition, a support having a lateral shelf, a clamping bar opposing said shelf, means permitting said bar to move generally normally with respect to said shelf, a plurality of guides arranged in juxtaposition and each adjustably interposed between said shelf and clamping bar and a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associated with certain of said elements, each of said solenoids including a movable armature rod passing through one of said guides, and a striking head connected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arr-anged .to move away from said shelf to strike the corresponding one of said certain elements when said solenoid is energized.

7. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, a support having a lateral shelf spaced from and extending transversely of said element, a clamping bar arranged transversely of said element and having a portion spaced from and arranged parallel to said shelf, means fastening said clamping bar to said support and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said portion against said shelf, an elongated guide having one end clamped between said shelf and portion and its other end protruding outwardly therefrom longitudinally of said element, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a movable armature rod passing through said protruding end of said guide, and a striking head con` nected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move away from said shelf to strilke said element when said solenoid is energized, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means said guide, head and rod may be moved transversely of said elements. j

S. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having generally horizontal movable elements arranged in juxtaposition, an upright support having a horizontal shelf and a vertical flat surface both spaced below and extending transversely of said elements, an elongated horizontal clamping bar arranged transversely of said element and having a first horizontal portion spaced below and arranged parallel to said shelf, a second horizontal portion opposing said at surface and a vertical portion connecting said horizontal portions, a plurality of means severally extending through said vertical portion into said support for fastening said bar thereto and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said first horizontal portion with respect to said shelf, a plurality of elongated guides arranged in juxtaposition and each having its inner end clamped between said shelf and rst horizontal portion and its outer end protruding outwardly therefrom longitudinally of the corresponding one of certain of said elements, and a plurality of solenoids arranged in juxtaposition and severally operatively associated with said certain elements, each of said solenoids including a vertically movable armature rod passing through the aforementioned protruding end of the corresponding one of said guides, and a striking head connected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move upwardly to strike the corresponding one of said certain elements when said solenoid is energized, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means, said guides, heads and armature rods may be moved transversely to positions directly beneath the corresponding ones of said certain elements.

9. In a piano, the combination comprising an action Yhaving a movable element, support means, guide means engaging said support means, bar means adjustably clamping said guide means to said support means, solenoid means operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means passing through said guide means, striking means connected to said rod means, said striking means being supported on said support means and arranged to move away from said support means to strike said element, and casing means having tongue means engaging said support means, and bar means adjustably clamping said tongue means to said support means.

10. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having movable elements arranged in juxtaposition, a support having a flat surface and a lateral shelf, clamping bars severally oposing said at surface and shelf respectively, means severally permitting said bars to move generally normally with respect to said at surface and shelf respectively, a plurality of guides arranged in juxtaposition and each adjustably interposed between said shelf and its opposing clamping bar, and a plurality of solenoids severally operatively associated with certain of said elements, each of said solenoids including 'a movable armature rod passing through one of said guides, a striking head connected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move away from said shelf to strike the corresponding one of said Y elements when said solenoid is energized, and a casing having a tongue adjustably interposed between said flat versely of said element, a rst clamping bar and a second clamping bar of generally channel-shaped cross section both arranged transversely of said element, said first bar having a portion spaced from and arranged parallel to said shelf, said second bar having its ilanges opposing said at surface, a plurality of means severally fastening said first and second bars to said shelf and at surface respectively and being adjustable to severally vary the clamping action of said iirst and second bars with respect to said shelf and flat surface respectively, an elongated guide having one end clamped between said shelf and portion and its other end protruding outwardly therefrom longitudinally of said element, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a movable armature rod passing through said protruding end of said guide, a striking head connected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move away from said shelf to strike said element when said solenoid is energized, and a casing having a tongue clamped between said second bar and at surface, whereby upon adjustment of said fastening means said casing, guide, head and armature may be moved transversely of said element.

12. In a piano, the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally having generally horizontal movable elements arranged in juxtaposition, an upright support having a horizontal shelf and a vertical ilat surface both spaced below and extending transversely of said elements, an elongated horizontal upper clamping bar arranged transversely of said elements and having a first horizontal portion spaced below and arranged parallel to said shelf, a second horizontal portion opposing said flat surface and a vertical portion connecting said horizontal portions, a plurality of upper means severally extending through said vertical portion into said support for fastening said upper bar thereto and being adjustable to Vary the clamping action of said irst horizontal portion with respect to said shelf, a plurality of elongated guides arranged in juxtaposition and each having its inner end clamped between said shelf and first horizontal portion and its outer end protruding outwardly therefrom longitudinally ot' the corresponding one of certain of said elements, an elongated horizontal lower clamping bar of generally channel-shaped cross section arranged transversely of said element below said upper bar and having its ianges opposing said at surface, with its upper flange being narrower than its lower flange and spaced from said at surface, a plurality of lower means severally extending through said lower bar between said flanges into said support for fastening said lower bar thereto and being adjustable to vary the clamping action of said lower bar with respect to said hat surface, and a plurality of solenoids arranged in juxtaposition and severally operatively associated with said certain elements, each of said solenoids including a vertically movable armature rod passing through said protruding outer end of the corresponding one of said guides, a striking head connected to said rod, said head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move upwardly to strike the corresponding one of said certain elements when said solenoid is energized, and a casing having a depending vertical tongue clamped between said upper lange and flat surface, whereby upon adjustment of said upper and lower fastening means, said heads, armature rods Vand casings may be severally moved transversely to positions directly beneath the corresponding ones of said certain elements.

13. In a piano, the combination comprising an action Ihaving a movable element, support means having guide means, and solenoid means operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including casing means secured to said support means and having guide means, movable armature rod means passing through said guide means on said support means and casing means, and striking means connected to said rod means, said striking means being supported on said support means and movable away from said support means to strike said element when said solenoid means is energized.

14. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, a support having an upper guide spaced below said element, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a casing secured to said support below said upper guide and having a lower guide, a vertically movable armature rod passing through said upper and lower guides and including a horizontal portion, and a striking head connected to said horizontal portion, said striking head being supported on said support above said upper guide and arranged to move upwardly to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

15. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, a support having an upper guide spaced below said element, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a casing secured to said support below said upper guide and having a lower guide, a vertically movable armature, a vertically movable armature rod passing through said upper and lower guides and including an upper horizontal portion and a lower laterally offset portion connected to the lower end of said armature, and a striking head connected to said upper portion, said head being supported on said support above said upper guide and arranged to move upwardly to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

16. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, support means having guide means, and solenoid means operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including casing means secured to said support means and having guide means, cylindrical coil means arranged in said casing means, cylindrical armature means freely reciprocable in said coil means and having non-metallic outstanding annular guide means slidable along the inner periphery of said coil means, movable armature rod means passing through said guide means on both said support means and casing means and connected to said armature means, and striking means connected to said rod means, said striking means being supported on said support means and arranged to move away from said support means to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

17. In a piano, the combination comprising an action having a movable element, a support having a non-metallic upper horizontal guide spaced below said element, and a solenoid operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a casing secured to said support below said upper guide and having a non-metallic lower horizontal guide, cylindrical coil means arranged vertically in said casing, a cylindrical armature reciprocable vertically in said coil means and having a non-metallic outstanding annular guide slidable along the inner periphery of said coil means, a vertically movable armature rod passing through said upper and lower guides and including an upper horizontal portion and a lower laterally offset portion connected to the lower end of said armature, and a non-metallic striking head connected to said upper portion, said head being supported on said support above said upper guide and arranged to move upwardly to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 730,098 Davis June 2, 1903 824,315 Shonnard June 26, 1906 1,603,871 Sandell Oct. 19, 1926 2,177,515 Bossard Oct. 24, 1939 2,919,619 Munzfeld Jan. 5, 1960 2,940,600 La Bonia et al. June 14, 1960 3,088,360 Hayden May 7, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 140,294 Germany Apr. 6, 1902 288,608 Great Britain Feb. 5, 1925 

1. IN A PIANO, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN ACTION HAVING A MOVABLE ELEMENT, SUPPORT MEANS, SOLENOID MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ELEMENT, SAID SOLENOID MEANS INCLUDING CASING MEANS HAVING TONGUE MEANS ENGAGING SAID SUPPORT MEANS, AND BAR MEANS ADJUSTABLY CLAMPING SAID TONGUE MEANS TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS. 